Synonyms of abide

abide

verb

ə-ˈbīd 

1

as in to remain

to continue to be in a place for a significant amount of time

refused to abide where it was clear that he wasn't wanted

Synonyms & Similar Words

• remain
• stay
• wait
• dwell
• hang around
• stick around
• tarry
• await
• linger
• hang on
• hold on
• loiter
• dawdle
• overstay
• outstay
• dally

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• leave
• move
• go
• depart
• quit
• take off
• cut out
• get off
• pull out
• walk out
• go off
• clear out
• peel off
• exit
• bail
• bail out
• push on
• push off
• shove (off)
• pack (up or off)
• escape
• pike (out or off)
• get out
• flee
• fly
• run away
• clear off
• skip
• evacuate
• abandon
• forsake
• bug out
• buzz (off)
• book
• vacate
• vamoose
• abscond
• desert
• decamp
• scram
• scat

2

as in to live

to have a home

the charming fantasy that fairies abide in the cup-shaped flowers dotting the woodland floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

• live
• reside
• dwell
• stay
• inhabit
• haunt
• occupy
• hang (at)
• lodge
• people
• settle
• visit
• frequent
• cohabit
• tenant
• rent
• populate
• lease
• sublet

3

as in to tolerate

to put up with (something painful or difficult)

cannot abide being in huge crowds

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tolerate
• endure
• accept
• stand
• handle
• take
• bear
• sustain
• meet
• absorb
• countenance
• wear
• stomach
• swallow
• support
• stand for
• live with
• brook
• lump (it)
• go
• suffer
• hack
• stick out
• bide
• tough it out
• permit
• allow
• sweat out
• acquiesce
• pocket
• reconcile (to)
• respect
• agree (with or to)
• submit (to)
• yield (to)
• consent (to)
• capitulate
• assent (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refuse
• reject
• dismiss
• resist
• oppose
• repudiate
• decline
• avoid
• fight
• escape
• combat
• spurn
• contest
• miss
• evade
• turn down
• circumvent
• bypass
• refrain (from)
• elude
• dodge
• forbear
• abstain (from)

4

as in to continue

to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state

the village's once-honored ways no longer abide and now exist only in the memories of a few elders

Synonyms & Similar Words

• remain
• continue
• last
• persist
• endure
• stay
• survive
• hold on
• run on
• bide
• prevail
• linger
• keep up
• perdure
• hold up
• stick around
• tarry
• carry through

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cease
• die
• stop
• pass
• conclude
• terminate
• close
• end
• discontinue
• finish
• quit
• expire
• wind up
• die (down)
• desist
• lapse
• leave off
• abate
• moderate
• subside
• wane
• let up
• ebb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb abide differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of abide are bear, endure, stand, suffer, and tolerate. While all these words mean "to put up with something trying or painful," abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest.

cannot abide their rudeness

When is bear a more appropriate choice than abide?

The words bear and abide are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking.

forced to bear a tragic loss

When could endure be used to replace abide?

While in some cases nearly identical to abide, endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.

endured years of rejection

In what contexts can stand take the place of abide?

The meanings of stand and abide largely overlap; however, stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching.

unable to stand teasing

When might suffer be a better fit than abide?

The synonyms suffer and abide are sometimes interchangeable, but suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing.

suffering many insults

When can tolerate be used instead of abide?

The words tolerate and abide can be used in similar contexts, but tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful.

refused to tolerate such treatment

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of abide

At games, a person can make new friends and enhance old friendships, while forgetting social graces that they are expected to abide by at work or home. —Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025

Justifying the decision, the U.S. State Department blamed Mexico for failing to abide by the terms of a historic water partnership accord signed between the two nations in 1944. —Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 24 Mar. 2025

Three-quarters agreed with Zelensky that Putin cannot be trusted to abide by any ceasefire. —Simon Shuster, TIME, 24 Mar. 2025

Golf’s rules limit the player to 14 total clubs in the bag, but some amateur players don’t abide by this rule. —Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2025

Phrases Containing abide

• abide by

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